Abrar Ahmed delivered a stellar debut performance, claiming 4/33, as Pakistan bowled out Zimbabwe for a modest 145 in the second ODI of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club today.
Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe endured a dismal start as openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (4) and Joylord Gumbie (5) failed to provide a solid foundation, departing cheaply within the powerplay.
Dion Myers and skipper Craig Ervine attempted to rebuild with a crucial 38-run partnership. Myers, playing aggressively, smashed six boundaries in his 30-ball 33 before falling to Salman Ali Agha in the 13th over. Myers ended as the top-scorer for the hosts.
Salman Ali Agha triggered a collapse in Zimbabwe’s middle order, dismissing Ervine and Sikandar Raza in quick succession. By the 21st over, Zimbabwe found themselves struggling at 97/5.
Experienced all-rounder Sean Williams offered some resistance with a cautious 31 off 39 balls. However, his dismissal in the 26th over with Zimbabwe at 121 left the tailenders with too much to do. Despite a brief 11-run cameo from Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe added only 24 more runs before being bundled out in the 33rd over.
Abrar Ahmed was the star of the day, taking four key wickets on debut. Salman Ali Agha provided solid support with three wickets, while Faisal Akram and Saim Ayub chipped in with one wicket each.
Zimbabwe entered the second ODI with a 1-0 lead after their 80-run victory in the rain-affected opener on Sunday. With a modest target to chase, Pakistan will look to level the series and set up a decider in the final ODI.
Zimbabwe Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joylord Gumbie †| 5 | 14 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 35.71 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Dion Myers | 33 | 30 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 110.00 |
| Craig Ervine (c) | 18 | 35 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 51.42 |
| Sean Williams | 31 | 39 | 48 | 2 | 0 | 79.48 |
| Sikandar Raza | 17 | 17 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 100.00 |
| Brian Bennett | 14 | 27 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 51.85 |
| Brandon Mavuta | 3 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Richard Ngarava | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 11 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Trevor Gwandu | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Extras | 6 | |||||
| Total (32.3 Ov) | 145 | RR: 4.46 |
Pakistan Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aamer Jamal | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 6.00 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 8 | 2 | 33 | 4 | 4.12 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 6.50 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Salman Agha | 7 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 3.71 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Saim Ayub | 4 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 4.00 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Faisal Akram | 5.3 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 3.45 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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